Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ‘70s and ‘80s Horror Fiction is a 2017 non-fiction book by American writer Grady Hendrix. It was first published by Quirk Books on September 19, 2017 in print and ebook. An audiobook release by Blackstone Audio followed on January 9, 2018.
Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ‘70s and ‘80s Horror Fiction
Paperbacks from Hell examines paperback horror novels of the 70s and 80s. Hendrix pays attention to trends and events that increased horror's readership and popularity and how the 1988 release of The Silence of the Lambs prompted publishers to shift their focus from horror to thrillers and techno-thrillers.[3] He also cites a glut of product paired with less quality control and an increase in misogynistic content as contributing to this decrease in popularity, noting that it was a variety of factors that led to this.[4][5]
The book also examines authors such as V. C. Andrews and R. L. Stine, as well as cover artwork, which he states publishers knew would be vital to appealing to readers. Also covered are various sub-genres of the horror genre, such as Native American curses or pregnancy sub-genres.
Developmentedit
Hendrix came up with the idea of writing a book on paperback horror novels from the 70s and 80s while purchasing a copy of The Little People by John Christopher, which he describes as "a book about a castle in Ireland being turned into a B&B, and the big problem is Nazi leprechauns in the basement".[4][6] He read an average of four books a day for a three-month period and focused his efforts by reading books from the same sub-genre at a time, as this helped him recognize literary tropes and benchmarks specific to those novels.[5]
Receptionedit
Critical reception for Paperbacks from Hell has been positive, with Locus praising the book for its use of cover art images to back up Hendrix's historical assessment of horror fiction.[7] The AV Club and New York Times also praised the work,[8] with the latter additionally citing the presence of "potted histories of authors for whom full histories are likely not forthcoming" as a highlight.[9]Tor.com wrote a favorable review, stating "It's a gorgeous, lurid deep-dive into horror's heyday and a must-read for any self-respecting horror fan."[10] Writing for the Washington Post, Ernest Hilbert wrote that the book is "as funny as it is engaging, assuring us that whatever else may be said of these paperbacks, most long since disappeared into landfills and yard sale boxes, "they will not bore you.""[3]
^"Paperbacks from Hell". Valancourt Books. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
^ ab"The shocking novels that scared the hell out of America". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^ ab""Paperbacks From Hell": Interview with Author Grady Hendrix". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^ abGallucci, Kelly (2017-10-30). "Grady Hendrix on Paperbacks from Hell and Why Horror Is a Women's Genre". Bookish. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^"These 'Paperbacks From Hell' Reflect The Real-Life Angst Of The 1970s". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^"Stefan Dziemianowicz Reviews Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction by Grady Hendrix". Locus Online. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^Rife, Katie. "Paperbacks From Hell is as wild as its source material". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^Williams, John (September 15, 2017). "Gallery of Horrors". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
^"Season of the Witch: 5 Horror Reads for Fall". Tor.com. 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
External linksedit
Official website
November 02, 2023
paperbacks, from, hell, twisted, history, horror, fiction, 2017, fiction, book, american, writer, grady, hendrix, first, published, quirk, books, september, 2017, print, ebook, audiobook, release, blackstone, audio, followed, january, 2018, twisted, history, h. Paperbacks from Hell The Twisted History of 70s and 80s Horror Fiction is a 2017 non fiction book by American writer Grady Hendrix It was first published by Quirk Books on September 19 2017 in print and ebook An audiobook release by Blackstone Audio followed on January 9 2018 Paperbacks from Hell The Twisted History of 70s and 80s Horror FictionAuthorGrady HendrixAudio read byTimothy Andres PabonCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishSubjectPaperback horror fictionGenreNon fictionPublisherQuirk Books Blackstone AudioPublished in EnglishSeptember 19 2017Media typePrint paperback ebook audiobookPages256 pagesAwardsBram Stoker Award for Best Non FictionISBN1594749817Preceded byMy Best Friend s Exorcism Followed byWe Sold Our Souls In March 2018 Paperbacks from Hell won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non Fiction 1 Valancourt Books later announced that they would re publish select horror novels as part of a limited series chosen by Hendrix and Will Errickson 2 Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Development 3 Reception 4 References 5 External linksSynopsis editPaperbacks from Hell examines paperback horror novels of the 70s and 80s Hendrix pays attention to trends and events that increased horror s readership and popularity and how the 1988 release of The Silence of the Lambs prompted publishers to shift their focus from horror to thrillers and techno thrillers 3 He also cites a glut of product paired with less quality control and an increase in misogynistic content as contributing to this decrease in popularity noting that it was a variety of factors that led to this 4 5 The book also examines authors such as V C Andrews and R L Stine as well as cover artwork which he states publishers knew would be vital to appealing to readers Also covered are various sub genres of the horror genre such as Native American curses or pregnancy sub genres Development editHendrix came up with the idea of writing a book on paperback horror novels from the 70s and 80s while purchasing a copy of The Little People by John Christopher which he describes as a book about a castle in Ireland being turned into a B amp B and the big problem is Nazi leprechauns in the basement 4 6 He read an average of four books a day for a three month period and focused his efforts by reading books from the same sub genre at a time as this helped him recognize literary tropes and benchmarks specific to those novels 5 Reception editCritical reception for Paperbacks from Hell has been positive with Locus praising the book for its use of cover art images to back up Hendrix s historical assessment of horror fiction 7 The AV Club and New York Times also praised the work 8 with the latter additionally citing the presence of potted histories of authors for whom full histories are likely not forthcoming as a highlight 9 Tor com wrote a favorable review stating It s a gorgeous lurid deep dive into horror s heyday and a must read for any self respecting horror fan 10 Writing for the Washington Post Ernest Hilbert wrote that the book is as funny as it is engaging assuring us that whatever else may be said of these paperbacks most long since disappeared into landfills and yard sale boxes they will not bore you 3 References edit Announcing the 2017 Bram Stoker Awards Winners Tor com 2018 03 05 Retrieved 2018 10 04 Paperbacks from Hell Valancourt Books Retrieved 2020 07 16 a b The shocking novels that scared the hell out of America Washington Post Retrieved 2018 10 04 a b Paperbacks From Hell Interview with Author Grady Hendrix Bloody Disgusting Retrieved 2018 10 04 a b Gallucci Kelly 2017 10 30 Grady Hendrix on Paperbacks from Hell and Why Horror Is a Women s Genre Bookish Retrieved 2018 10 04 These Paperbacks From Hell Reflect The Real Life Angst Of The 1970s NPR org Retrieved 2018 10 04 Stefan Dziemianowicz Reviews Paperbacks from Hell The Twisted History of 70s and 80s Horror Fiction by Grady Hendrix Locus Online Retrieved 2018 10 04 Rife Katie Paperbacks From Hell is as wild as its source material The A V Club Retrieved 2018 10 04 Williams John September 15 2017 Gallery of Horrors The New York Times Retrieved 2018 10 04 Season of the Witch 5 Horror Reads for Fall Tor com 2017 10 18 Retrieved 2018 10 04 External links editOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Paperbacks from Hell amp oldid 1158047125, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
